U.S., CHILE SIGN “OPEN SKIES” AGREEMENT
The United States and Chile signed an agreement Thursday that allows the
countries’ airlines to provide unrestricted service to, from and beyond each other’s
territories.
The "open skies" agreement was signed by U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Rodney E. Slater and Chilean Transportation and
Telecommunications Minister Claudio Hohmann.
The agreement makes effective last month’s grant by the U.S. Department of
Transportation of antitrust immunity to the alliance of American Airlines and Chilean
carrier Lan Chile.
"We expect this agreement to lead to expanded services and lower fares
for consumers. We can also look forward to new direct service between additional
communities in both countries," Slater said.
Besides American and Lan Chile, Continental Airlines and United offer flights
between Chile and the United States. Delta has applied for rights to begin flying to
Chile.
The United States has open skies agreements with 35 other countries,
including Argentina and Peru.